Temperature regulation device

ABSTRACT

A temperature regulation device dispenses a fluid at a unique temperature. The device achieves the unique temperature by blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluid to form a blended temperature of the fluid. The cooled temperature of the fluid is reached by passing a portion of the ambient temperature fluid through a cooling apparatus. The cooled fluid and the ambient fluid can then be blended through a series of valves and choke lines to form the desired blended temperature for the fluid. A plurality of individual fluids can simultaneously pass through the device and have different dispensing temperatures based on adjustments to the blend between ambient temperature fluid and cool temperature fluid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/857,693 entitled “CompactTemperature Controlled Beverage Chiller” filed on 23 Jul. 2013 under 35U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application areincorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent thatsuch subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to atemperature regulation device for regulating temperature of fluids. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a temperature regulation devicethat dispenses a fluid at a unique temperature by blending an ambientand cooled temperature of the fluid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatwine and alcoholic beverages are generally fermented beverages that haveenhanced flavors when drank at a specific temperature, such as an icecold beer, or a white sparkling wine between 43°-43° Fahrenheit.

Typically, wine dispensers are devices designed to serve and preservewines. Dispensers store stored wines at cool temperatures and oxygen isprevented from entering the bottle when pouring. Wine dispensers varygreatly in use and function, most commonly wine dispensers are used inrestaurants and bars to prevent spoilage when selling wine by the glass.The dispenser has the additional benefits of controlling the amount ofthe pour limiting over pour.

The temperature of the wine or other beverage can be important. Storageis an important consideration for wine that is being kept for long-termaging. While most wine is consumed within 24 hours of purchase, finewines are often set aside for long-term storage. Wine is one of the fewcommodities that can improve with age but it can also rapidlydeteriorate if kept in inadequate conditions, including temperature.

It is known that wine tasting is the sensory examination and evaluationof wine. The temperature that a wine is served at can greatly affect theway it tastes and smells. Lower temperatures will emphasize acidity andtannins while muting the aromatics. Higher temperatures will minimizeacidity and tannins while increasing the aromatics.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplarytemperature regulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary ambientfluid intake portion, a cooled fluid intake portion, and a coolingintake portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary ambient valve controlportion and an exemplary cooled valve control portion, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary temperatureregulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate views of an exemplary beveragedispensing systems known in the art, where FIG. 5A illustrates adetailed perspective view of an exemplary beer dispenser, FIG. 5Billustrates a schematic view of an exemplary bag in box winedistribution system, and FIG. 5C illustrates a schematic view of anexemplary keg distribution system, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of fluid temperature regulation devices that maybe provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In oneembodiment of the present invention, a temperature regulation device maybe configured to dispense a fluid at a unique temperature by blending anambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of the fluidto form a blended temperature of the fluid. The cooled temperature maybe reached by passing a portion of the ambient temperature fluid througha cooling apparatus. The cooled fluid and the ambient fluid can then beblended through a series of valves and choke lines to form the desiredblended temperature for the fluid.

In some embodiments, a plurality of valves may regulate the flow anddistribution of the fluid through the cooling apparatus, and selectivelyblend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to reach a desired uniquetemperature for dispensing. In one embodiment, the device may dispense aplurality of fluids at a blended temperature that is different for eachfluid, with each fluid passing through the same cooling apparatus andthen blending with the respective ambient temperature fluid. In someembodiments, the fluid may include, without limitation, a beverage, awine, a beer, a soda, a juice, and oil.

In some embodiments, the device may utilize a plurality of lines tocarry the fluid through the device for dispensing at the blendedtemperature. An ambient fluid line carries at least a portion of thefluid to a dispensing line, maintaining the fluid at an ambienttemperature. A cooled fluid line carries at least a portion of the fluidthrough a cooling apparatus, cooling the fluid to a cool temperaturethat is lower than the ambient temperature. The cooling apparatus mayinclude a cooling intake portion and a cooling output portion thatcirculate a cooling composition, such as glycol, through the coolingapparatus.

In some embodiments, a junction may divert the cooled fluid line fromthe ambient fluid line, and to the cooling apparatus. An ambient fluidvalve may regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through theambient fluid line. A cooled fluid valve may regulate the flow anddirection of the fluid through the cooled fluid line. Each valveregulates the respective flow independently to blend the ambient fluidwith the cooled fluid to the desired unique temperature for dispensingthrough a dispensing line. In one embodiment, the device may dispense aplurality of beverages at different, blended temperatures through aplurality of dispensing lines. In another embodiment, the device may besmall, portable, and configured to easily retrofit onto a standardbeverage dispensing system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplarytemperature regulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the present invention, a temperature regulationdevice 100 may be configured to dispense a fluid at a unique temperatureby blending an ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooledtemperature of the fluid to form a blended temperature for the fluid.The blended temperature represents an optimal temperature for thespecific fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid may include, withoutlimitation, a beverage, a wine, a beer, a soda, a juice, oil, and premixed cocktails Those skilled in the art, in light of the presentteachings, will recognize that the temperature that a wine is served atcan greatly affect the way it tastes and smells. Lower temperatures willemphasize acidity and tannins while muting the aromatics. Highertemperatures will minimize acidity and tannins while increasing thearomatics. For example, without limitation, the device maysimultaneously dispense a white wine at 44° Fahrenheit, a Rose wine at48° Fahrenheit, and a red wine at 58° Fahrenheit.

The ambient temperature fluid is received from a fluid storage andpasses through the device. A portion of the ambient temperature fluidmay be diverted to a cooling apparatus in the device that lowers thetemperature of the fluid. In one embodiment, the device may dispense aplurality of fluids at a unique temperature for each fluid, with eachfluid passing through the same cooling apparatus. In another embodiment,the cooling apparatus lowers the temperature to about 40° Fahrenheit.The blending of the ambient temperature fluid and the cooled temperaturefluid may occur while the fluid is flowing, and cease when fluid flow isnot required. This creates a passive device that helps conserve energywhen not in use.

In some embodiments, the device may utilize a plurality of lines tocarry the fluid through the device for dispensing at the unique blendedtemperature. An ambient fluid line 102 carries at least a portion of thefluid through the device before blending with the cooled temperaturefluid and finally dispensing through a dispensing line 108. The ambientfluid line passes through the device so as to maintain the fluid at anambient temperature. In one embodiment, the ambient fluid line mayinclude a ⅜″ stainless steel pipe. In some practical embodiment thefluid can be pumped or pushed through the line using mechanical pumps,pressurized gas or gravity.

In some embodiments, a cooled fluid line carries at least a portion ofthe fluid from the ambient fluid line through a cooling apparatus forpurposes of cooling the fluid to a cool temperature that is lower thanthe ambient temperature. In one embodiment, the cooled fluid line mayinclude a ⅜″ stainless steel pipe. In some embodiments, the ambientfluid line may comprise a first junction forms a T that directs thecooled fluid line towards the cooling apparatus for cooling the fluid,and directs the ambient fluid line to pass through the device whilemaintaining the ambient temperature. In some embodiments, a secondjunction may join the ambient fluid line with the cooled fluid lineafter the fluid has passed through the cooling apparatus. From thesecond junction, the blended temperature fluid may dispense through thedispensing line.

In some embodiments, the cooling apparatus serves to cool the ambientfluid flowing through the cooled fluid line to a preset temperature. Thecooling apparatus may include a chiller that cools the ambient fluidwith a glycol refrigeration system; thereby cooling the fluid to a cooltemperature that is lower than the ambient temperature. In oneembodiment, the cooling apparatus is primarily mechanical, having noelectrical components. In this manner, the cooling apparatus may beretrofit onto existing cooling systems, such as those found in beerdispensing systems. Further, the cooling apparatus may be small andproduce little heat, if any. In other embodiment ice water pumped from achest cooler or similar vessel may be used as a coolant in place ofglycol.

The cooling apparatus may include a cooling intake line 104 and acooling output line 106 that circulate a cooling composition, such aspropylene glycol, through the cooling apparatus. In some embodiments,the cooling composition arrives at a temperature below freezing. In yetanother embodiment, the cooled fluid line passes through a series ofpropylene glycol filled coiled tubes in the cooling apparatus. However,the cooling composition may further include, without limitation, liquidcoolant, ice water, Freon, and ice.

In some embodiments, a plurality of valves may regulate the flow anddistribution of the fluid through the cooling apparatus. The valves mayalso selectively blend the ambient temperature fluid with the cooledtemperature fluid to reach a desired blended temperature fluid fordispensing. The valves may include a solenoid actuated valve having atemperature sensor to regulate the flow of the fluid based on presettemperatures. An ambient fluid valve may regulate the flow and directionof the fluid through the ambient fluid line, and a cooled fluid valvemay regulate the flow and direction of the fluid through the cooledfluid line. Each valve regulates the respective flow independently toblend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to the desired uniquetemperature for dispensing through a dispensing line. In otherembodiments, the flow and/or blending may be controlled by springactuation and/or electronic pressure control devices instead of valves.

In some embodiments, an ambient control portion 112 and a cooled controlportion 114 may be configured to control the flow of the ambient andcooled fluid through the respective valve. The ambient control portionand the cooled control portion may include screws or knobs that areaccessible from outside the device, and that control a respective valveor choke line. In one embodiment, the device may dispense a plurality ofbeverages at different, unique temperatures through a plurality ofdispensing lines. In another embodiment, the device may be small,portable, and configured to easily retrofit onto a standard beveragedispensing system. In this manner, the fluid may be stored at a distancefrom the device at an ambient temperature without requiring chilling orcooling prior to dispensing from the device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary ambientfluid intake portion, a cooled fluid intake portion, and a coolingintake portion, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In the present invention, the device may receive the fluidand the cooling composition through a plurality of lines. The fluid mayenter the device from a fluid storage through tubes. The fluid may reachthe device at an ambient temperature. The cooling apparatus cools thefluid to a cooled temperature, and then blends the ambient and thecooled temperatures of the fluids to achieve a desired blendedtemperature. The cooling composition circulates through the coolingapparatus, entering through the cooling intake line, and exiting throughthe cooling output line.

FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary ambient valve controlportion and an exemplary cooled valve control portion, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention,an ambient control portion and a cooled control portion may beconfigured to control the flow of the ambient and cooled fluid throughthe respective valve. The ambient control portion is labeled with a “W”,and the cooled control portion is labeled with a “C”. In one embodiment,the device may be positioned under a tap bar and connected to a glycolchilling line. The device may enable dispensing up to three wines, witheach wine set at a desired temperature. In many practical applications,the control portion may be configured to have direct effect on flow atthe tap; for example, the control portion may be configured to increaseor decrease the flow at the tap.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of an exemplary temperatureregulation device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In the present invention, a temperature regulation deviceschematic 400 represents the flow of an ambient fluid through thedevice. The device may be configured to dispense a fluid after blendingan ambient temperature of the fluid with a cooled temperature of thefluid to form the blended temperature for the fluid. In someembodiments, the fluid may arrive at an ambient intake portion 410 ofthe device. The ambient intake portion may include an initial entrypoint on the ambient fluid line. At the ambient intake portion, thefluid may be approximately at an ambient temperature, such as 74°Fahrenheit. An ambient fluid line carries at least a portion of thefluid through the device before blending with the cooled temperaturefluid at an ambient output portion 412 of the device.

In some embodiments, a cooled fluid line 414 carries at least a portionof the fluid from the ambient fluid line through a cooling apparatus 420for purposes of cooling the fluid to a cool temperature that is lowerthan the ambient temperature. A cooled fluid intake portion 416 receivesthe fluid at a first junction 402. A cooled fluid output portion 418discharges the cooled fluid with the ambient fluid at a second junction404. In some embodiments, an ambient fluid valve 406 may regulate theflow and direction of the fluid through the ambient fluid line, and acooled fluid valve 408 may regulate the flow and direction of the fluidthrough the cooled fluid line. Each valve regulates the respective flowindependently to blend the ambient fluid with the cooled fluid to thedesired unique temperature for dispensing through a dispensing line.

In some embodiments, the cooling apparatus may be configured to cool theambient fluid flowing through the cooled fluid line to a presettemperature. The cooling apparatus may include a chiller that cools theambient fluid with a glycol refrigeration system. In one embodiment, thecooling apparatus comprises a heat exchanger having three 3/16″×0.010″wall stainless steel tube coils. The cooling composition of glycolpasses through the tube coils. A nylon string weave may separate eachcoil from the other. The coils may extend ½″ beyond compression fittingsin a top end cap. The heat exchanger may further include a long ⅜″glycol inlet tube terminating ½″ from the inside a heat exchanger tube,wherein 1½″ is exposed beyond a top plate assembly. A short ⅜″ glycoloutlet tube terminates ½″ inside the top of the heat exchanger. Thisleaves 1½″ beyond the top assembly. A 4″×12″ long ABS tube serves tohouse the coil assembly. The heat exchanger may further include two 4″end caps with one blank bottom end cap and one drilled and threaded endcap to accommodate compression fittings on top. Six 3/16″ threadedcompression fittings are used for product tubing through the cap. Two ⅜″threaded compressions are used for the glycol tubing.

In one embodiment, the cooling apparatus comprises a mixer. The mixerincludes three 3/16″ barbed T fittings for the first junction for eachof the three beverages. An additional three barbed T fittings make upthe second junction. A nylon top plate assembly is drilled and threadedto accommodate external lines and choke line components. 3/16″ polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubes are used for connecting the T fittings and linechoke. Stainless steel clamps may be used as needed. In yet anotherembodiment, the cooling apparatus is housed in a rigid housing. Thehousing comprises a brushed stainless steel composition. The housing isdrilled and formed to form the approximate dimensions of 5⅝″ width×5⅝″depth×16″ height. The housing is insulated with a polyurethane sprayfoam and has a bottom cover of nylon or plastic.

In operation, the device may be initially oriented in a verticaldirection and fastened to a dispenser with stainless steel adjustablescrews. The cooling intake line and the cooling output line may thenjoined to the device. The cooling intake line may be joined with acenter tube, and the cooling output line joined with an existing tubeclosest to the edge of the device. Any of the ambient fluid lines maythen be attached to the ambient intake portion. The ambient fluid linemay include a vinyl, clear line. The fluid may then be attached to anopposite end of the ambient fluid line. A prescreen filter may beattached between the device and the ambient fluid line. Those skilled inthe art will recognize that a regular line cleaning may be necessary,even with the filter. The cooled fluid may be adjusted to flow throughthe chiller by rotating the cooled control portion (“C”), in a firstdirection. Simultaneously, the ambient fluid may be adjusted to flowthrough the device by rotating the ambient control portion (“W”), in afirst direction. The fluid may be checked at the dispensing line. If toocold, the cooled control portion may be turned clockwise to reduce flowthrough the cooling apparatus. If too warm, the cooled control portionmay be turned further counterclockwise to increase flow through thecooling apparatus.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate views of an exemplary beveragedispensing system known in the art, where FIG. 5A illustrates a detailedperspective view of an exemplary beer dispenser, FIG. 5B illustrates aschematic view of an exemplary bag in box wine distribution system, andFIG. 5C illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary keg distributionsystem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inthe present invention, the device overcomes many of the problems foundin a beverage dispenser 500 found in the prior art. The device is small,portable, and can retrofit on any beverage dispenser. As referenced inFIG. 5B, a beverage in a box dispenser schematic 502 represents atypical dispenser used for dispensing wines. The beverage in a boxdispenser schematic does not blend the beverage at differenttemperatures, but rather chills each beverage individually and dependenton a beverage chiller 516. The beverage in a box dispenser receives oneor more beverages from at least one beverage in a box 506 through atleast one beverage intake line 508. The beverages arrive at an ambienttemperature. The beverages pass through a temperature control unit 514where the temperature is regulated for each individual beverage. Thebeverage chiller circulates a glycol through the temperature controlunit for this purpose. After achieving a desired temperature, thebeverage flows through at least one beverage output line 510, beforebeing dispensed through at least one dispenser tap 512. In any case, thechiller must be operable whether the beverage is flowing, or not, due tothe schematics of the prior art.

As referenced in FIG. 5C, a keg dispenser schematic 504 depicts atypical dispenser used for dispensing beer. The keg dispenser schematicdoes not blend the beverage at different temperatures, but rather chillseach beverage individually and dependent on a beverage chiller 516. Thekeg dispenser receives one or more beverages from at least one keg 518through at least one beverage intake line 508. The beverage may beforced through with a gas. The beverages arrive at an ambienttemperature. The beverages pass through a temperature control unit 514where the temperature is regulated for each individual beverage. Thebeverage chiller circulates a glycol through the temperature controlunit for this purpose. After achieving a desired temperature, thebeverage flows through at least one beverage output line 510, beforebeing dispensed through at least one dispenser tap 512. In any case, thechiller must be operable whether the beverage is flowing, or not, due tothe schematics of the prior art.

In one alternative embodiment, the blending process is automated, suchthat the temperature sensor in the valves senses the ambient temperatureof the fluid and the cooled temperature of the fluid to manipulate thevalves and also t o regulate the flow of cooling composition through thecooling apparatus. In another alternative embodiment, the coolingapparatus may be replaced by a heater, whereby the fluid is heated abovethe ambient temperature before dispensing. In yet another alternativeembodiment, the fluid is a chemical, oil, salt water, or toxiccomposition.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least aportion of the novel method steps and/or system components of thepresent invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s)possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA),whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subsetof the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoingembodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for thebenefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the presentinvention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention maybe configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means forand/or steps described that the applications designer will selectivelydecide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particularimplementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction ofthe USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/orsystem components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g.,without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/orlocated outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remainingmethod steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, alocally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typicallyrequired to be located/performed in the USA for practicalconsiderations. In client-server architectures, a remotely locatedserver typically generates and transmits required information to a USbased client, for use according to the teachings of the presentinvention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of theteachings of the present invention, which aspects of the presentinvention can or should be located locally and which can or should belocated remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the followingclaim limitations that are construed under 35 USC §112 (6) it isintended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying outthe claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented withinthe jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed orlocated remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under35 USC §112 (6).

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for”claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legallyvalid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of“mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered amultiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specificstructures and elements which are suitable to act as correspondingstructures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claimsthat are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such correspondingstructures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claimsinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structuresand related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose ofproviding explicit structures that implement the functional meansclaimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claimsconstruction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowabilityproperly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of thesedocuments discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC§112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/ornon-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searchingand or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) alsoincorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information toidentify all such documents comprising functionally correspondingstructures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into thepresent patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd)parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitlyprescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missingdisclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patentand/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference forthe purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112(6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which areincorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have afiling and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application,and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in theinstant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a temperatureregulation device for dispensing and regulating the temperature for abeverage by blending multiple temperatures of the beverage according tothe present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way ofillustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended tolimit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particularimplementation of the temperature regulation device for dispensing andregulating the temperature for a beverage by blending multipletemperatures of the beverage may vary depending upon the particularcontext or application. By way of example, and not limitation, thetemperature regulation device for dispensing and regulating thetemperature for a beverage by blending multiple temperatures of thebeverage described in the foregoing were principally directed to atemperature regulation device that is configured to dispense a fluid ata unique temperature by blending an ambient temperature of the fluidwith a cooled temperature of the fluid to form a unique temperature ofthe fluid. implementations; however, similar techniques may instead beapplied to regulation of chemical temperatures in a laboratory byblending multiple temperatures of each chemical, which implementationsof the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of thepresent invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims. It is to be further understood that not all of thedisclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarilysatisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvementsdescribed in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: an ambient fluid lineconfigured to carry a fluid at an ambient temperature; a cooled fluidline configured to carry a portion of said fluid to a cooling apparatus,said cooling apparatus configured to cool said fluid to a cooledtemperature, an ambient fluid valve configured to regulate flow of saidfluid before said cooling apparatus; a cooled fluid valve configured toregulate flow of said fluid after said cooling apparatus, wherein saidvalves regulate flow of said fluid from said ambient fluid line and saidcooled fluid line to blend into a fluid having a blended temperature;and a dispensing line configured to dispense said fluid at said blendedtemperature.
 2. The device of claim 1, in which said fluid comprises awine.
 3. The device of claim 2, in which said device comprises a pumpconfigured to force said fluid to flow.
 4. The device of claim 3, inwhich said device comprises three ambient fluid lines.
 5. The device ofclaim 4, in which said device comprises three cooled fluid lines.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, in which said device comprises three dispensinglines.
 7. The device of claim 6, in which said device comprises anambient intake portion configured to receive said fluid at said ambienttemperature, said device further comprising an ambient output portionconfigured to discharge said fluid at said cooled fluid valve.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, in which said ambient fluid line comprises a firstjunction configured to join said ambient fluid line with said cooledfluid line before said cooling apparatus.
 9. The device of claim 8, inwhich said ambient fluid line comprises a second junction configured tojoin said ambient fluid line with said cooled fluid line after saidcooling apparatus.
 10. The device of claim 9, in which said ambientfluid line comprises a line choke configured to work in conjunction withsaid ambient fluid valve and said cooled fluid valve to regulate flow ofsaid fluid.
 11. The device of claim 10, in which said ambient fluidvalve and said cooled fluid valve comprise solenoid actuated valves. 12.The device of claim 11, in which said ambient fluid valve and saidcooled fluid valve comprise temperature sensors.
 13. The device of claim12, in which said cooling apparatus comprises a glycol chiller.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13, in which said cooling apparatus comprises a coolingintake line and a cooling output line configured to circulate a coolingcomposition through said cooling apparatus.
 15. The device of claim 14,in which said cooling composition comprises propylene glycol.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein said dispensing line is disposed to joinwith a wine tap.
 17. The device of claim 16, in which said devicecomprises brushed stainless steel composition.
 18. The device of claim17, wherein said device is disposed to orient vertically relative to abeverage dispenser.
 19. A device comprising: means for orienting atemperature regulation device vertically in relation to a dispenser;means for joining a cooling intake line to a cooling composition; meansfor joining an ambient fluid line to a fluid storage; means for carryingan ambient fluid through said ambient fluid line; means for manipulatingan ambient control portion; means for regulating an ambient fluid valve;means for carrying a portion of said ambient fluid through a coolingapparatus to form a cooled fluid; means for manipulating a cooledcontrol portion; means for regulating a cooled fluid valve; means forblending said cooled fluid with said ambient fluid; and means fordispensing said blended fluid through a dispensing line.
 20. A deviceconsisting of: an ambient fluid line configured to carry a fluid at anambient temperature, said fluid comprising a beverage, said ambientfluid line comprising a clear polymer, said ambient fluid line furthercomprising a first junction configured to join said ambient fluid linewith said cooled fluid line before a cooling apparatus, said ambientfluid line comprising a second junction configured to join said ambientfluid line with said cooled fluid line after said cooling apparatus; acooled fluid line configured to carry a portion of said fluid to saidcooling apparatus, said cooling apparatus configured to cool said fluidto a cooled temperature, said cooling apparatus comprising a chiller,said cooling apparatus configured to carry a cooling composition forcooling said fluid; an ambient fluid valve configured to regulate flowof said fluid before said cooling apparatus, said ambient fluid valveconfigured to be solenoid actuated, said ambient fluid valve comprisinga first temperature sensor; a cooled fluid valve configured to regulateflow of said fluid after said cooling apparatus, said cooled fluid valveconfigured to be solenoid actuated, said cooled fluid valve comprising asecond temperature sensor wherein said valves regulate flow of saidfluid from said ambient fluid line and said cooled fluid line to blendinto a fluid having a blended temperature; and a dispensing lineconfigured to dispense said fluid at said blended temperature, saiddispensing line comprising a beverage tap.